The next day, another guest arrived at the Guo residence. It was none other than Chen Hanxuan from the martial arts competition last time. He and his elder brother Chen Xuanhua brought a large quantity of gifts to the Guo residence.

The steward handed up a paper. Li Weiyang unhurriedly took a sip of tea before accepting it to look. Written on it were: forty strings of large coral beads, twenty pieces of exquisite amber, twenty bolts of brocade jade satin, twenty bolts of fine woven cloth with literary elegance, eighteen large gold-threaded velvet carpets, ten large glazed gold lamps, ten small gold-inlaid boxes, twenty jade scepters inlaid with precious stones, ten gold-inlaid flower-patterned glazed cups, one jade Bodhisattva statue, one pure gold Maitreya Buddha statue, one thousand-armed jade Guanyin statue.

Li Weiyang looked it over—all were extremely precious gifts. The Chen family’s attitude seemed excessively respectful. Clearly Duke Guo had already said he wouldn’t hold it against them, yet they still came to the door.

Chen Xuanhua looked at Madam Guo and said solemnly, “My younger brother caused great disaster. Thanks to Duke Qiguo’s magnanimity in forgiving him, both my father and I feel deeply troubled. Today I’ve brought this wretch here to be dealt with however Madam Guo sees fit.”

In fact, Chen Xuanhua was already quite clear that the one in charge of the Guo household was Duke Qiguo, but his greatest affection was for his own wife. If Madam Guo refused to forgive Chen Hanxuan for even one day, then the rift between the Guo and Chen families would only grow larger. If someone with ulterior motives seized upon this point to make a big issue of it, the greatest losses would still fall upon both their families.

Imperial Consort Chen had repeatedly instructed that Chen Hanxuan must personally come to apologize to Madam Guo and Guo Dao.

Madam Guo glanced at Guo Dao. Guo Dao only smiled faintly, revealing nothing. Since quitting the Carefree Powder, Guo Dao’s temperament had become even more gentle. He rarely grew angry, making it impossible for others to discern his thoughts.

Madam Guo sighed inwardly and said warmly, “Young Master Chen need not be so formal. Since our Duke has already said this matter was a misunderstanding, I will not pursue it. Our two families have long been on good terms, and your eldest sister is my daughter-in-law. We would never harbor resentment over this matter. Please be at ease.”

Chen Bingbing was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Chen family’s main branch and had always been cherished by the Chen family. Old Madam Chen and Master Chen regarded her as precious as the apple of their eye. They had finally indulged her wishes and allowed her to marry into the Guo family. If Chen Bingbing became unhappy merely because of the trouble Chen Hanxuan had caused, the Chen family would truly vomit blood and die.

Therefore, Old Madam Chen also had a hand in forcing Chen Hanxuan to come apologize this time. Originally she had wanted to come personally, but both families were maintaining a calm facade on the surface. If she personally came to Duke Qiguo’s residence, it would instead provoke others’ gossip. So this matter couldn’t be too high-profile, but neither could they remain indifferent—the most important thing was to grasp the proper degree.

With a glance from Chen Xuanhua’s eyes, Chen Hanxuan immediately knelt down, his eyes fixed on the ground, not knowing what he was thinking. Then they heard Guo Dun sneer coldly, “Elder Brother Xuanhua seems sincere in his apology, but I see Young Master Hanxuan doesn’t think so at all.”

Chen Hanxuan suddenly raised his head and stared at Guo Dun. Guo Dun, seeing his expression that deserved a beating, felt anger rising from within. His tone was icy. “Someone poisoned your weapon, yet you didn’t discover it. Who knows if it was deliberate!”

Chen Hanxuan gritted his teeth and said stiffly, “Though my martial arts aren’t top-tier, I’m not that kind of despicable person. Fourth Young Master Guo, don’t speak nonsense!”

Guo Dun’s smile grew even colder. Although the Chen family had also been used by others, the sword that injured Guo Dao was indeed Chen Hanxuan’s. Moreover, Guo Dao had repeatedly shown him mercy during the match, yet he had been aggressive, insisting on determining a victor. This was what caused things to reach an irreversible point.

Guo Dun was about to say more when he heard Guo Dao laugh lightly. “Brother Chen merely slipped momentarily. It’s nothing serious. Don’t take it to heart.”

Chen Hanxuan glanced at Guo Dao, but his gaze held no gratitude. He was proud and arrogant, having practiced martial arts away from home since childhood, thinking himself invincible. But during the martial arts competition, Guo Dao had yielded to him at every turn, and his martial arts were clearly superior. This had angered him momentarily, arousing his desire to win, leading him to unintentionally injure Guo Dao. This should have been a small matter, but he hadn’t expected someone to poison his sword! After returning home, he had immediately dealt with the servant who managed his weapons, but it was too late. Guo Dao’s right hand was ultimately ruined. For someone who practiced martial arts to never again be able to lift a sword—Chen Hanxuan understood all too well what kind of injury this was. At this moment, seeing Guo Dao being so magnanimous, Chen Hanxuan couldn’t express the complex feelings in his heart.

Seeing this, Chen Xuanhua immediately spoke, “Since Madam Guo and Young Master Guo no longer blame him, we will send him back to the mountain tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Madam Guo was startled. “Send him back to the mountain—what does this mean?”

Chen Hanxuan said through gritted teeth, “Father has expelled me from the Chen family. From now on, I am merely a rustic commoner. My actions have nothing to do with the Chen family.”

At these words, everyone was shocked. Li Weiyang looked at Chen Xuanhua, then at Chen Hanxuan kneeling on the ground, and said indifferently, “Since Master Chen is sincere in making amends, why go to such extremes?”

Chen Xuanhua sighed slightly. “Father says the mistake he made is unforgivable. Bringing him here today is to apologize to Madam Guo and Brother Guo Dao, and also to bid farewell.”

Chen Hanxuan’s face was stiff and cold as death. He hadn’t expected his father and elder brother to ultimately make such a decision, but this was also unavoidable. Regardless of how magnanimous the Guo family was, he had ultimately injured Guo Dao.

The Chen family making such a decision made Chen Bingbing feel distressed. She looked at Madam Guo pleadingly. Madam Guo frowned and spoke, “Xuanhua, since we’ve already forgiven him, you shouldn’t be too harsh. Let this end here—don’t let outsiders see a joke.”

A flash of light passed through Chen Xuanhua’s eyes as he smiled. “Father’s mind is made up. No one can persuade him. This is the only thing the Chen family can do for the Guo family.”

Li Weiyang watched Chen Xuanhua, then suddenly smiled and said indifferently, “Mother, since the Chen family insists on this, we have no other recourse. You should write a letter on behalf of Young Master Chen Hanxuan to plead for him.”

Everyone looked toward Li Weiyang. Chen Xuanhua’s heart jumped—he hadn’t expected Li Weiyang before him to see through his intentions at a glance. Indeed, Chen Ling had decided to expel Chen Hanxuan from the family, but Old Madam Chen couldn’t bear it! She had pleaded with Chen Xuanhua in every way to think of a solution. After thinking for a long time, Chen Xuanhua could only resort to this desperate measure—sending heavy gifts to make the Guo family feel indebted… Only if the aggrieved party pleaded with Chen Ling would there be room for turning this matter around.

Completely oblivious, Chen Bingbing looked at Li Weiyang very gratefully. In an instant, Madam Guo understood Li Weiyang’s meaning. She glanced at the Chen family brothers, feeling somewhat displeased at being used, but showed nothing on her face. She nodded slightly. “Very well, I will plead on this matter.”

A trace of cold dread passed through Chen Xuanhua’s heart. This time, before he even opened his mouth, Li Weiyang had already exposed everything with one sentence—it truly gave him the feeling of showing off one’s meager skills before an expert. But looking at Li Weiyang, he saw her expression was calm, without any hint of mockery or ridicule. Only then did he breathe a slight sigh of relief. Having such an intelligent and blessed daughter was truly the Guo family’s good fortune.

The atmosphere had already eased somewhat, but just then, Chen Hanxuan suddenly stood up, his expression cold and stern. “Since my matter has been resolved, please have the Guo family resolve another matter for us!”

Chen Xuanhua seemed not to have expected Chen Hanxuan to bring up this matter. His expression changed as he angrily rebuked, “Second Brother, what nonsense are you spouting? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?! Step back!”

Chen Hanxuan paid no heed. All traces of guilt had completely disappeared. He slapped a letter onto the table with a loud sound and demanded sternly, “Why did your Guo family engage in marriage fraud?”

Li Weiyang’s gaze fell upon the letter, though her expression remained as calm as water. “I don’t know what Second Young Master Chen means by marriage fraud.”

Chen Hanxuan’s teeth ground audibly. “Just now I didn’t speak out only to save the Guo residence some face! Now that I’ve laid everything bare, if your Guo residence cannot provide a reasonable explanation, I will take my eldest sister back home!”

At these words, Madam Guo’s face paled, while Chen Bingbing looked completely bewildered, not knowing what her second brother was talking about.

Chen Xuanhua’s face was frosty as he suddenly stood up. “Second Brother! If you continue spouting nonsense here, Father will definitely expel you from the family! Regardless of whether Madam Guo pleads for you, even if the Western Heaven Buddha himself appeared, no one could save you.”

Chen Hanxuan trembled, then became even more determined in his resolve. He had always respected his eldest sister and absolutely couldn’t bear to see her deceived. He said regardless of consequences, “Even if expelled from the Chen family, I have no regrets! I only want to ask clearly—Guo Yan clearly already had a fiancée, yet he turned around and married my eldest sister. If this isn’t marriage fraud, what is?”

Hearing this, Chen Bingbing’s beautiful face turned snow white.

Guo Dao’s smile immediately vanished as he said coldly, “Chen Hanxuan, I can overlook your injuring me, but there are things that should be said and things that shouldn’t. If you can’t even understand this much, then please leave quickly. The Guo family doesn’t welcome you!”

Guo Dao’s words made Chen Hanxuan sneer coldly. “I know I did wrong. No matter what I say, I’m at fault. At worst, I’ll just return this right arm to you!” As soon as he finished speaking, with lightning speed, he swiftly drew the dagger at his waist. They saw a cold flash—before everyone could react, the dagger had already severed the tendon in his right hand. They saw a flash of blood, blood flowing like a fountain. Everyone was stunned on the spot. Chen Hanxuan sneered coldly and actually tore off his own sleeve to bind it tightly. His gaze was cold as snow. “Now, I no longer owe you Guo Dao anything. May I speak now?”

No one had expected Chen Hanxuan to be so fierce in temperament—an arm for an arm. Chen Hanxuan no longer owed the Guo family anything, so now he could justifiably seek justice for his eldest sister.

Li Weiyang looked at Chen Hanxuan, inwardly cursing his foolishness. Acting so impulsively would only destroy the friendship between the Guo and Chen families. Such a fierce-tempered Chen family young master was simply killing people without paying with his life! Thinking this, her eyes grew cold and indifferent.

Chen Hanxuan indeed continued speaking regardless of others’ attempts to stop him. “Just yesterday, someone secretly delivered a letter to our residence, saying that before marrying my eldest sister, Guo Yan already had a fiancée, and was about to marry her. But for the sake of the alliance between our two families, he abandoned that woman and turned to seek my sister’s hand instead. If things had ended there, we would have turned a blind eye! But now that woman is in the capital, having an inseparable relationship with your Guo family! Clearly you’re secretly keeping that woman while concealing it from my eldest sister. Is this true or not?”

Chen Xuanhua looked at him with the sorrow of disappointment and the anger of unmet expectations, greatly blaming him for being too proud, too aggressive, lacking in flexibility, and not knowing when to advance or retreat!

Chen Bingbing’s face was white as paper as she looked at Madam Guo, her voice trembling. “Mother, what is he talking about? Do you understand?”

Madam Guo sighed and averted her eyes. Chen Bingbing looked at everyone present one by one, finally settling on Li Weiyang, her gaze holding three parts hope. “Jia’er, how has Second Sister-in-law treated you?”

Li Weiyang hadn’t expected the other party to ultimately turn to her. She raised her head and answered honestly, “Since I entered the residence, Second Sister-in-law has taken great care of me. When my younger brother entered the residence, because he wasn’t accustomed to it, he often cried and made a fuss. Second Sister-in-law took him to her side and cared for him with utmost gentleness. I’m very grateful to you.”

Tears welled up in Chen Bingbing’s eyes. “If that’s so, why didn’t you explain this matter to me in detail?”

Li Weiyang sighed gently. “Some things needn’t be stated too clearly.”

Chen Bingbing’s expression was extremely ugly. “What do you mean?”

Li Weiyang turned to look at Guo Cheng. “I’ve only been at the Guo residence for half a year. I’m not particularly familiar with the circumstances here. Perhaps I shouldn’t be the one to explain.”

Guo Cheng sighed and spoke to Chen Bingbing, “Second Sister-in-law, we actually wanted to tell you about this matter long ago, but feared you couldn’t accept it. Yes, before marrying, Second Brother indeed had a fiancée, and their feelings were very deep.”

Chen Bingbing felt as if struck by lightning. She collapsed into the chair beside her. Jiang Shi’s face also showed panic and unease—clearly she had known the truth all along.

Guo Cheng didn’t stop there. “For the sake of the Guo-Chen alliance, my second brother had no choice but to marry Second Sister-in-law. This is the truth of the matter.”

Chen Bingbing’s lips trembled, unable to speak a single word.

Chen Hanxuan shouted angrily, “Your Guo family goes too far!”

But suddenly they heard a light laugh from that direction. Chen Hanxuan turned to look at Li Weiyang, his eyes unspeakably icy.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Second Young Master Chen’s words are incorrect. What do you mean by ‘going too far’?”

Chen Hanxuan said angrily, “Clearly having a fiancée yet deceiving my eldest sister into marriage—if this isn’t marriage fraud, what is?”

Li Weiyang’s voice was gentle, though beneath that calm voice, undercurrents surged. “Second Young Master Chen, I suggest you think before speaking. That Guo Yan already had a fiancée—could your Chen family really not have known? If you don’t believe me, ask your elder brother beside you.”

Chen Hanxuan was dumbfounded and turned to look at Chen Xuanhua. Chen Xuanhua smiled bitterly and said repeatedly, “Miss Guo, I sincerely apologize. My second brother has been studying martial arts in the mountains since childhood—his mind isn’t very clear.”

Li Weiyang scoffed. “Indeed a stupid thing.” Everyone had taken such pains, all ruined by his recklessness. For the Chen family to have such a son was truly the family’s misfortune.

Hearing Li Weiyang berate him so, Chen Hanxuan’s expression changed as he said sternly, “What nonsense are you spouting, you woman…” Before he could finish, Chen Xuanhua quickly stepped forward and slapped him! Chen Hanxuan looked at him in disbelief. “Elder Brother, what are you doing?! Are you actually helping this woman!”

Li Weiyang’s gaze was icy. “Your elder brother isn’t helping me—he just doesn’t want you to expose any more flaws.” Since things had reached this point, some words should be spoken clearly. “That’s right, my second brother had feelings for someone back then, and had a marriage agreement with that young lady. He was just waiting to marry her into the family, and Father and Mother had tacitly approved. But your sister Chen Bingbing fell in love with my second brother and cried and made scenes at home, threatening death to force the Chen family to propose marriage to our Guo family. Everyone knows about this, don’t they?”

Chen Bingbing’s eyes filled with shock and pain. Yes, at the time she had fallen in love with Guo Yan at first sight and desperately wanted to marry into the Guo residence. Originally her parents had somewhat opposed this marriage—after all, Guo Yan was a military general. Once on the battlefield, who knew when he might die wrapped in a horse’s hide. They didn’t want their daughter to face such danger, so she had fasted for three days in the residence, insisting on marrying down. Out of love for their daughter, the Chen family had proposed marriage to the Guo residence.

The Guo family had told the Chen parents everything, including Nalan Xue’s existence. But they didn’t care at all and forcefully compelled Guo Yan to turn around and marry Chen Bingbing instead. But Chen Bingbing herself didn’t know about this matter—out of love for their daughter, the Chen family had chosen to conceal it.

Li Weiyang continued, “The alliance between our two families was already known, but your father threatened Duke Qiguo’s residence that if this marriage didn’t succeed, he would turn to support the Pei family instead. So who was faithless first? We told everything truthfully, but your parents chose to conceal it from Second Sister-in-law. Perhaps they acted out of love for their daughter, but they can’t turn around and push all the blame onto the Guo family. That would be, I’m afraid, rather improper.”

According to Yuexi customs, since there was already a marriage agreement, Nalan Xue was the rightful wife. Chen Bingbing ultimately only had the advantage of noble birth.

Li Weiyang judged the matter, not the people. Whether the gentle and peaceful Nalan Xue or the lively and kind Chen Bingbing, she liked and admired both. But looking solely at this matter, the ones truly at fault, besides Guo Yan, also included Chen Bingbing before them. These two people had jointly created this tragedy.

Chen Hanxuan stared dumbfounded at Li Weiyang, unable to speak a word. After a long while, he said in disbelief, “No, I don’t believe it. How could Father and Mother have knowingly…”

Madam Guo said indifferently, “That’s because they cherished their daughter and didn’t want her to be melancholy her whole life, so they wanted to find her an ideal husband, not hesitating to sacrifice others’ happiness for it!”

Chen Hanxuan was completely stunned. He looked at everyone in the hall, then at his sister, seemingly unable to react.

Coming to the Guo family to cause trouble for no reason—truly courting death! Li Weiyang’s voice carried a trace of warning. “Second Young Master Chen, in the future when doing things, you must think about the consequences. By exposing everything so recklessly, the ones most hurt aren’t us, but your eldest sister. Look at her state now.”

Chen Bingbing was already weeping, saying nothing.

Chen Hanxuan couldn’t help stepping forward two paces, his voice trembling. “Eldest Sister.”

Guo Dao said neither warmly nor coldly, “They didn’t send the letter to your elder brother, nor to your parents. Why send it to you? The other party knew you were simple-minded, ignorant of causes and consequences, and would act rashly. That’s why they entrusted this important task to you.”

Chen Hanxuan was startled, then said, “Important task? What important task?”

Guo Dao sneered coldly. “What important task? Don’t you understand yet? Your eldest sister is already the Guo family’s daughter-in-law—everyone knows this. Yet you deliberately came here spouting nonsense. You’re intentionally destroying her marriage, destroying the friendship between our two families, ruining the original alliance, giving the Pei family an opportunity to exploit! What meaning is there in a stupid thing like you continuing to live?” Guo Dao’s words were pressing, forcing Chen Hanxuan to retreat three steps. He collapsed into a chair, his gaze bleak.

Li Weiyang glanced at Chen Xuanhua. “In all things, there must be cause and effect. Because your eldest sister forced the issue first, my second brother broke faith afterward—both our families have wronged Nalan Xue.”

Chen Bingbing was startled, then caught that sensitive phrase. “Nalan Xue—are you talking about the Miss Nalan who runs the medical clinic?”

Li Weiyang nodded. “Things have reached this point. Many matters must be clarified. Miss Nalan did nothing wrong. She traveled a thousand miles to find this place. Seeing my second brother had already married, she immediately turned to leave. Didn’t Second Sister-in-law witness this with your own eyes? She had no intention of destroying your marriage. Moreover, my second brother won’t wrong her by making her a concubine. The two of them have completely severed relations. If the Pei family hadn’t deliberately used Nalan Xue as a pawn to threaten the Guo residence, we wouldn’t have kept her under our watch—partly to protect her, partly to monitor her. If your reckless brother hadn’t revealed everything, this family would have remained peaceful. You would still be the good daughter-in-law of the Guo residence, my good second sister-in-law, and Nalan Xue would be merely an outsider. Do you understand, Second Sister-in-law?” In the end, though the entire Guo family felt guilty, they had still been protecting Chen Bingbing all along.

Chen Bingbing was completely at a loss. She hadn’t imagined that her willfulness back then had destroyed someone else’s marriage.

Chen Hanxuan said through gritted teeth, “Even so, your Guo residence shouldn’t have kept Nalan Xue!”

Li Weiyang suddenly raised her eyebrows, her gaze like a knife. “Not keep her—should we kill her instead? Our Guo residence has already wronged her. We cannot do such a thing!”

Chen Hanxuan looked at Li Weiyang, feeling as if that cold light wanted to scrape a layer of skin from his face. He was momentarily speechless. Chen Xuanhua sighed. “Father and Mother already knew about this matter, but the great mistake had already been made, the marriage already completed. What could be done?”

Li Weiyang’s tone was indifferent. “Second Sister-in-law, I advise you to think more openly. Since Nalan Xue has no entanglement with our Guo family and can no longer become Second Brother’s wife, you should just pretend not to see her.”

But Chen Bingbing couldn’t hear anything. She suddenly covered her face and rushed out.

Li Weiyang didn’t even move an eyebrow. Don’t say she was cold and heartless—she had always been this kind of person. Many things, when exposed, were very ugly. The Guo and Chen families were merely a transaction—no one was nobler than anyone else. The Guo residence abandoning Nalan Xue was wrong, but was your Chen family forcing the marriage right? It was merely each taking what they needed. No matter how helpless you felt inside, how cynical about the world, this was the truth, this was human society—no one could change it. Chen Hanxuan injured Fifth Brother first. Did he think severing one arm gave him the right to run here and condemn Guo Yan? Why not think about how your eldest sister threatened death to force the marriage back then?

Li Weiyang always distributed blame equally—she even dared criticize her second brother, leaving Chen Xuanhua completely stunned. He had originally thought Li Weiyang was a very gentle girl, which was why he had looked upon her so favorably. Now seeing her aggressive manner, he couldn’t help feeling a chill. He finally understood why his father Chen Ling had repeatedly warned him not to get close to Guo Jia—because this wasn’t a girl he could provoke. Now it indeed seemed so. She was too sharp, too domineering, her edge too exposed, making her hard to accept. Chen Xuanhua needed a gentle and kind wife, not this harridan before him. He couldn’t help wiping cold sweat and standing up. “Miss Guo, I will definitely report today’s matter to Father and come again another day to apologize.” Then he ordered Chen Hanxuan, “Get out of here!”

Chen Hanxuan, his neck stiff, still wanted to say something, but his elder brother grabbed him by the collar and quickly left the hall.

Guo Cheng watched their departing figures and sighed. “This quagmire is getting deeper and deeper.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly. “This letter-sender truly won’t rest for a moment.”

Guo Dao looked at her. “Was it the Pei family?”

Li Weiyang’s expression didn’t change. “There’s no smoke without fire. If we ourselves had no gaps for exploitation, how could anyone seize upon our weaknesses? Nalan Xue is indeed a problem, but she can’t be killed or released—she’ll only grow into a larger tumor.”

Guo Dao looked at Li Weiyang. “Nalan Xue first saved you, then saved me, and cured Mother’s headaches. We truly owe her… If the Chen family wants to harm her, what would you choose, Sister?”

Li Weiyang sighed, for the first time finding the situation thorny. “I don’t know.”

Guo Dao looked at Li Weiyang in surprise. This was the first time he had seen Li Weiyang show a bewildered expression.

Li Weiyang stood up. “Even a wise judge has difficulty resolving family disputes. The one truly qualified to handle this is Second Brother Guo Yan. I hope you’ll write to him and tell him what happened here.”

Guo Cheng said, “No, we can’t! He’s guarding the frontier. We can’t disturb his mind.”

Li Weiyang’s gaze lost none of its sharpness. “If you can’t even sweep your own house, how can you sweep the world! Can’t a grown man handle his family affairs? Even if relations must be severed, it shouldn’t be us who sever them with Nalan Xue—Second Brother must explain everything to her! Let Nalan Xue seek happiness anew, rather than waste her youth on Second Brother!”

Guo Dun couldn’t help shaking his head and sighing. “What if Nalan Xue is used by the Pei family and turns around to harm our Guo residence?”

Madam Guo had remained silent all along. At this moment she gently rubbed her forehead—her headache condition had clearly flared up again. Li Weiyang quickly had people help her return, then walked out herself. Guo Cheng quickly asked, “Sister, where are you going?”

Li Weiyang said, “I’m just going to check on Second Sister-in-law.”

Guo Cheng couldn’t help smiling. “Just now seeing you angrily rebuke the Chen family, I thought you were so cold and heartless. Now I know you’re actually quite soft-hearted.”

Li Weiyang merely smiled faintly without answering and walked away.

Just now Chen Bingbing had run all the way toward her own room, completely disregarding Jiang Shi calling after her. She collided with flowers, trees, rocks and mountains in the garden, unable to even distinguish the outlines of lakeside pavilions and towers. Finally she stumbled back to her room. Disregarding the maids’ inquiries, she sat on the bed with cold hands and feet, not a trace of warmth in her body. The darkness pressed down on her heart along with the weight of the roof beams.

What her second brother had done today greatly surprised her and was extremely humiliating… Now she finally understood why Guo Yan always looked worried and troubled, why during the first half-month of their new marriage he always used drunkenness as an excuse to sleep in the study, why every time he saw her his eyes held complex emotions, why no matter what she did she couldn’t win his favor—it turned out his heart already housed another person. In his eyes, she herself was merely a joke. In her mind, a voice grew louder and louder, urgent as war drums. She looked with blood-red eyes at the pair of mandarin duck pillows she had embroidered—she had personally embroidered this trousseau to make Guo Yan happy and ensure they would be together forever. This heartfelt intention now seemed like nothing but silent mockery.

She suddenly cried out “Ah!” and spat out a mouthful of scarlet blood. Drops of blood stained the pure white gauze curtains in a desolate, mesmerizing pattern… So the husband she deeply loved already had someone else in his heart, to the point where she, a living person, was merely a shadow. Thinking of these two years of trying to please him in every way, it all seemed to have become a great mockery. Her heart couldn’t withstand repeated hammering and suddenly shattered. She clenched her fists and suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Time couldn’t turn back. If only she had known earlier… Thinking this, she couldn’t help laughing bitterly. Even if she had known early on that he already had someone he loved, would Chen Bingbing not have wanted to marry him? She probably would have thought up even more vicious methods to snatch him away. At this moment, her heart felt as if being flayed alive—one cut, two cuts, three cuts, as if life were worse than death. Tears grew more and more blurred until she gradually couldn’t even distinguish the furniture in the room. She rubbed her eyes with her hand, only then discovering her face was already streaming with tears.

Li Weiyang crossed through the garden and came to Second Sister-in-law Chen Bingbing’s residence, Phoenix Cry Pavilion. She walked through the courtyard straight to the main room.

The maids were startled and all bowed in greeting. Li Weiyang waved her hand and quickly walked inside. The gauze curtains around the bed had already been lowered. Chen Bingbing just lay alone inside the bed, utterly silent. The maids beside her all looked very worried. Seeing Li Weiyang come, they immediately bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Miss.”

Li Weiyang looked at the figure within the curtains, then instructed, “All of you go out. I have words for Second Sister-in-law.”

Everyone exchanged glances, then withdrew one after another.

Li Weiyang sighed and sat by her bedside. “Second Sister-in-law, are you blaming me for being rude in the hall just now?”

Chen Bingbing lay on the bed, the quilt covering her very tightly, revealing only her pale face. She turned her head to look at Li Weiyang and couldn’t help suddenly bursting into loud sobs.

How could Li Weiyang not understand her feelings? She said softly, “Second Sister-in-law must be very heartbroken right now. But the great mistake has already been made. If you feel Second Brother truly deceived you and would rather divorce and return to the Chen residence, I think the Chen family would also seek another good match for you.” As she said this, she saw Chen Bingbing suddenly sit up from the bed, a pair of eyes crimson red. “No, I absolutely won’t divorce!”

Li Weiyang had known she would say this, yet said, “Since Second Sister-in-law won’t divorce, does that mean you’ll accept that Second Brother loves another?”

Chen Bingbing looked at Li Weiyang. She hadn’t expected the other party could speak such cruel words. She couldn’t help clenching her fists. “No, I won’t accept it either!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “You don’t want to divorce, yet won’t accept the truth either. So what does Second Sister-in-law want to do?”

Chen Bingbing looked at Li Weiyang, tears streaming down her face. “I… I don’t know.”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Many things aren’t as simple as Second Sister-in-law thinks. We’ve been hiding it from Second Sister-in-law only because we share a common wish.”

Chen Bingbing looked at her and couldn’t help asking, “What kind of wish?”

Li Weiyang said gently, “We hope to see Second Sister-in-law happy and content.”

Chen Bingbing looked at her, a trace of disbelief in her gaze. “What did you say?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Nalan Xue is merely an outsider with no ties whatsoever to our Guo residence. Why would we help her? Second Sister-in-law is already part of the Guo residence. No matter when, I will always stand on your side. Not just me—Mother is the same. I think Second Brother’s concealment wasn’t deliberate deception, but rather he hoped to see you happy and didn’t want you to become as resentful and pained as you are now.”

Chen Bingbing looked at Li Weiyang, forgetting to cry. “Is what you’re saying true?”

Li Weiyang nodded. “Of course it is. Otherwise why wouldn’t we keep Nalan Xue? Even if we feel guilty toward her, she ultimately isn’t part of the Guo family. Since Second Sister-in-law has decided not to leave, then you will forever be the Guo family’s daughter-in-law and can remain by Second Brother’s side. In life, eight or nine out of ten things are unsatisfactory. Everyone has dissatisfactions and can only endure—there’s no other way. I believe that with time, Second Brother will surely understand your devotion and gradually forget Miss Nalan.”

These words reached the ears of Madam Guo, who had hurried to the doorway. She couldn’t help nodding secretly. What Jia’er said was right. As long as Bingbing remained a good daughter-in-law in the Guo family, one day Guo Yan would see her merits, and his heart would gradually lean toward her. It was merely a matter of time. But could Chen Bingbing understand this principle?

Yet Chen Bingbing on the bed was at her wit’s end. Though Li Weiyang had comforted her, she still felt the road ahead was pitch black. Unable to help herself, she felt immense grief and lay on the pillow crying her heart out.

Li Weiyang took a silk handkerchief to wipe her tears and gently consoled her, “Second Sister-in-law, you must take care of your health. If you feel troubled in your heart, why not return to the Chen family to relax? In a few days, Mother and I will personally come fetch you back.”

Chen Bingbing stared blankly at Li Weiyang but vigorously shook her head. “No, I’m not leaving!” She couldn’t bear to part with the husband she had obtained with such difficulty—he was countless young ladies’ dream lover, yet only she had gained the position of Second Young Madam of the Guo family. Originally she had thought that marrying him would allow her to possess his affection, to sing in harmony with him and live happily ever after. Who knew heaven wouldn’t comply with human wishes, actually placing her in such an awkward position? But even so, she wouldn’t hand over the title of Second Young Madam of the Guo family.

She would hold fast here, remain in the Guo family, and wait for the day Guo Yan had a change of heart.

Li Weiyang, seeing she had thought things through, stood up. “Second Sister-in-law, rest well. I should go.”

Chen Bingbing nodded and watched Li Weiyang leave, then turned to lie down again. Just then, a maid emerged from behind the screen and said in a low voice, “Hmph, just now in the hall she rebuked our Second Young Master so harshly, yet now she slaps then gives a sweet reward. Does she think our Madam is a fool!”

Chen Bingbing suddenly sat up from the bed and scolded, “What nonsense are you spouting!”

Fu’er sneered coldly. “Young Madam, don’t blame this servant for speaking too much. This servant just feels the Guo family people are all in collusion, all favoring that Nalan Xue! Otherwise, how could a weak woman open a medicine shop in the city? Young Madam, do you remember that day? We accompanied Madam to seek treatment, who knew they had long been in contact, yet wouldn’t say anything. Isn’t this too strange?”

The more Chen Bingbing listened, the more serious her expression became, not noticing the trace of cold malice flashing in Fu’er’s eyes. Seeing her persuasion was effective, Fu’er continued, “Miss, in this servant’s view, the best method now is to eliminate that Nalan Xue—once and for all!”

Chen Bingbing looked at her trusted maid beside her in shock, unable to speak.

Fu’er said with a face full of loyalty, “Young Madam, this servant knows you’re kind-hearted, but if you’re soft-hearted this time, who knows if that fox spirit won’t snatch away Second Young Master in the future!” As she said this, her eyes stared tightly at Chen Bingbing, as if trying to spy out the resentment and jealousy in her heart.

Chen Bingbing looked at her and vigorously shook her head. “No! I can’t do such a thing. If my husband knew, he would never forgive me!”

Fu’er said earnestly, “Young Madam is a daughter of a prestigious family whom so many sought to marry! But for Second Young Master’s sake, you practiced music, chess, calligraphy and painting daily, poetry and song composition, and diligently practiced needlework, cooking and tea arts, all hoping to gain his affection! Unfortunately, Second Young Master knows full well of Miss’s devotion yet still only thinks of that Nalan Xue. Doesn’t Young Madam find this painful? If you can’t make up your mind, I’m afraid in the future the Young Madam’s position might belong to someone else!”

As she said this, her eyes revealed a trace of sympathy. Chen Bingbing looked at her, completely stunned.

Li Weiyang had no idea her earnest persuasion had been completely overturned by a few words. At this moment she had already walked out of the courtyard and saw Madam Guo waiting for her at the gate. She couldn’t help asking in surprise, “Mother, didn’t you go back to rest?”

Madam Guo smiled slightly. “I felt uneasy in my heart and wanted to come see, but you were one step ahead… Jia’er, you did very well.”

Li Weiyang didn’t see it that way. If she were more ruthless and completely eliminated that Nalan Xue, this matter would be finished once and for all. It would also comfort Chen Bingbing, and the rift between the Guo and Chen families would end there. Even more, they wouldn’t have to stand by knowing the Pei family was causing trouble yet only able to let the situation develop. But every time Li Weiyang saw Nalan Xue, she only felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity welling up in her heart. Perhaps she saw something of her own past in Nalan Xue.

Nalan Xue’s strength and effort—Li Weiyang saw it all. She was originally a ruthless person who struck without mercy, but toward Nalan Xue she found herself somewhat unable to act… Moreover, Nalan Xue had saved her and also saved Guo Dao. She could never bring herself to be so vicious.

Madam Guo looked at her daughter and sighed gently. “I only fear others have entirely different purposes.”

Li Weiyang’s gaze focused slightly. That hand behind the scenes was manipulating everything’s development. The Guo and Chen families had now both become pieces on the opponent’s chessboard. At first she thought the opponent was step by step sowing discord between the Guo and Chen families, but now it seemed the opponent wanted far more than just this…